The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1887-02-27
THE STAGE.

Inrttu suCCcsslOn OF HlOst cnlONNUIc CntcftNln-
mcnts in the line OF lighter operate productions.
None of these perhaps have made moro thor
oughly agreeable impression than the Dun
Comic Opera Company, which has lust closed a
most successful week at the National. Thctroupe
comprises several first-class singers and come
dams, good chorus, and presenting as It has
three changes of bill during the week. and two
of them absolute novelties TO Washington thea
tre-gocrs, has put all of its operas upon the
boards with a completeness of detail In every
way worthy of the applause II has received
Won Suppc's "Trip TO Africa" Is undertaken on
sufficiently iiimsy motives in far as the plot is
concerned, but fully atoncs for the defect
by the richness and beauty of its score
and its orulcni spectacular attractions Tho
music on the whole is of better II less
catchy order than "BoccncClo" or "Fatinitzn,"
the act finacs strongly and effectively composed,
and occasional passages, like the Rose duo he
tween Titdnid and Prince Aptd,sid In act second
full of that subtly scnsuous melody, the Vienna
waltz writers seem to have exhausted In their
dance music, before they cssaycd opera. II is
useless TO say that with Lillian Russell in the role
of the hcircss-hcroine, resplcndcnt In oriental
drapcrics, occidental diamonds, and her own
radiant and peerless beauty, the boys" both old
and young, were dutifully on hand each evening
and lost not one of the tuneful notes. nor single
glance, smile or gesture of the Justly famous
Regina Dudorum. Hcrspcaking voice is wonder
fully and almost saccharincly sweet In its intonn.
tions, and recalls Richard Grant Whites historic
vocal velvet" mot ancnt the Markham And of
her singing and acting II may be said that they
, are surprisingly good for such beauty. Miss
Jarbeau is the same clever little artistic us
has lost not whit of her piquant coquctry and
didb'eric. She introduces Judics notable "Pi.
Wcet" ballad in the second act in such wickcdly
French or Frcnchily wicked fashion that those
who know how bad 1t Is laugh because they can't
help IT, nnd all the rest laugh on general princi-
pies. Mrs. Scgun has always been prime ta-
voritc in Washington and sang and acted the
role of Buccdmettd with all of her old-timc
power Mr. Hillard, us the Prince displayed
tenor of much sweetness and sympathy which, he
uses with tpstefu and effective method. Mr..
Charles DUNCAN. whom we should scarcely have
| recognized ms our last summers Mikudo. and Mr.
/ ~ H. Rylcy dear TO fame as the original Bun
| hornt. were cNccllcntly amusing as the insinu-
| ntinp Italian ndvcnttrcr and the scheming
| Egyptian Pushn. Fhc chorus was well M in its
| work, ana too much can scarcely he said of some
of the costumes or the fine scenes of the gardens
1 on the Nile, the oasis IN the Great Desert etc
| At the holiday matinee on Tuesday "Iolnnthc"
| was given in very finished and capable stylc
/ Mrs. Scguin's contruto finding excellent scope
in the music of the Fairy Queen. and Miss Rus
sell of course being the faircst PhDliis that ever
| charmed scni-inmortal Strcphou. "Gaspn-
rome" composition In Millockcr's lappicst vein.
was presented on Thursday and Saturday nights,
and perhaps demonstrated the vocal abilities of
the troupe even more fully than the operas which
had preceded it. The engagement in its entirety
was one of the most enjoyable of the season.
Tho name of Helena Modjcska is cvcra most
potent charm toconiure with in Washington ana
has lost none of its power to summon large atI-
dicnces even from the vasty depths of Lcntcn
observance. This always charming and delight
full drtistc has been seen mt Albaugh's during the
yr In, &c l.,,,,
such as Rosdlind. Viola Marie Stuart. and Fro,i-
Frou and on Thursday. Friday, and at the Sat,Ir-
day matinee appeared in her new play of 1.-THE
Chouans." IL sombrc and powerful drama of the
French Revolution, adapted from n novel by
Dalzac. Her own impcrsonations are character
lied by all of her wonted sweetness grace, and
exquisite refinement of conception and treat
ment, and seem to have gained not impcrceptiby
in power The supporting company. headed by
Mr. Maurice Barrymore, one of tho most accom-
plished jcunc prenicrs upon the stage. and with
Mr.. Charles Vandenhod and others equally capa-
bic in the cast. combined with excellent scenic
appointments. handsome costuming, etc. to make
the engagement as great an artistic as pecuniary
success.
In her triumphal progress of two continents
Snra Bernhardt, by the divine right of genius
| legitimate successor of the great Rachel will be-
gin on Tuesday evening next at the New Ma.
of her strongest characters. She comes to Wash.
ington direct from the City of Mexico, after n sc.
ries of successes In that capital and the principal
cities of South America SURPRISING all previous
experience even in her own phenomenal career.
Some allowance. of course, must be made for the
explosive temperament of the Latin races, but
even from the colder Anglo-Saxon nature. the
marvellous power, magnetism, and inspiration of
the Bernharlts methods have availcd to win the
widest tributes Of enthmniasn,- Sheis incontest-
ably the greatest actress of the world to-day and
nowhere in the dramatic horizon is the appear
ance of her equal even indicated. On Tuesday
evening she Will be seen in Camille" perhaps
hsr S bSease most familiar
We have too % Often seem r. Bamass s'tnSe e":
snmptiye soeotte portrayed by leading ladies,
and groan beneath their superintendent adipose.
not not to be profoundly grateful for any. actress
is Sara Bernhardt, this peculiarly French con.
ccption of the Tridrdtd who is half u saint this
really lives moves exhaies the frasranee Of her
love and suffering. and dies, with the semblance
Of the Gy rh SsdorE our Scarcely
striking If not so pathetic effects is Fedora her
: tremenEdous E impersonation Of Wednesday even.
marked transition from thouphtless and careless
gaiety in the earlier scenes to the tragic woes be-
pewer aYf drama y hs dn N fr1day as
, FORCES" From the remarkable advance sale OF
2 seats II repetition OF the scenes of the recent
@ National Opera season may bc anticipated.
I +"a
$ on Monday Mcssrs. French q Sanger will opcr
: n weeks engagement mt Albaughs Grand Operr
Q House, presenting for the first time In this cit,
|, the grand scenic drama, "Hoodman Blind
: which has achieved such great success in New
4 York, Boston, and other Eastern cities Mr
Joseph Haworth. the brilliant young actor
a whose support of the late John Mccullough is $,
J. well and favorably known, will assume the lead
ing role, Jack Ieulett, supported by an exccllcn
company. Mr.. Augustus Cook us Mark Lizard
+ Mr.. Sidney Howard MS Ben Chibbe. Mr.. Mat
= :, Snyder Ms Tom Ldt'ikcr, Miss Sydney Armstrong
g as Nance and Jess, Miss Bessie bernard Polly
= very crcditablc work. There are four acts and
!, This play has always done an increasing business
n since IT hns been on the road, and its return en-
n gagemcnts have always drawn increased houses
week in aitmpprc, sad eHars a@pcne' i1ts
/ many pocket, manufacturers At Aibaush,
i drama, 'Hoodman Blind written BY Henr,
Art9r JGnes and wso1 ,so9 B1Grs /, i
!. that opened wide the fioodgates of all the femi
T. n nine eyes The general character Of the produe
with ni the scenic i,dI ald msehancaI effects tha
q elaborate has ever been seen In this city. Thu
!. The Jack IeMett of Mi. Joseph Taworth was nd
ii mrahlc. He is an actor of genuine merit, of un
v that won him instantaneous favor with every.
: body In the audience There is Il bright futIr,
ON the stage for u man of his talents. Miss Arm
strong I'm the double role of NdncU Yemctt an,
i Jcss was thoroughly successful. Mr.. Haworti
II nnd Miss Armstrong received half dozen recalls
IN" performance was thoroughly enjOye'
s throughout"
:, The mere announcement that ". :. Wood is I.
- play "Jack Sheppard" at the Iijou Theatre /
Z sufficient guarantee that there will be crowde
o houses the entire week. Mr.. Wood and his OK
I ccilcnt company opened the season of the "Biou
y last September and most satisfactory bushes
!, wesdonc, and he ut once firmly established himscl
:, as II great fayorite among Washington theatre
!, gocrs. On this return engagement Mr. Woo
= VIII appear In specially selected repertoire. Mon
= day, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons an,
u evenings will be devoted to the Life and Al
= ventures Of Juck Sheppard" which will be pro
duccd with strong cast special scenery. beuuti
= iul costumes, and startling mechanical effects
,, Thursdny afternoon aud evening he will appca
l. rs Lightning Lom in '"rhc hoy Scout" Frida
N afternoon and evening In '"rhc Boy Detective
and on Saturday afternoon and evening in ".Incl
H0rkawhy, Abont and Ashore"
is Conricd's English Opera Company will suo
l.l. ~,